[TimesPicayune] Scott promises brighter days ahead
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Scott promises brighter days ahead
Dismal start fails to temper his optimism
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
By John Reid
Staff writer
HOUSTON -- It definitely hasn't been the start that Hornets
coach Byron Scott expected.
As the losers of 14 out of 15 games, the Hornets appear to
be moving closer to earning one of the top eight draft spots
in the lottery than a playoff berth.
Going into tonight's game against the Houston Rockets to
battle all-stars Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, the Hornets are
five losses from matching the Orlando Magic's dismal 1-19
start of last season.
The Hornets, who have the worst record in the league, have
not made any big moves, other than trading backup veteran
point guard Darrell Armstrong to the Dallas Mavericks for
guard Dan Dickau. But General Manager Allan Bristow hasn't
denied having discussions with several teams regarding trade
possibilities.
In the meantime, Scott must try to win games with the players
he has.
"Physically and personally, I feel good, but I don't feel too
good about our record," Scott said. "There are two things
about basketball -- winning and misery. Right now, we're going
through the misery part.
"I've got a lot of faith in me and what I do. I've got a lot
of faith in Mr. (George) Shinn and Allan. The braintrust here,
you know, we've been meeting weekly. I've been meeting with
Allan almost every day to try and find ways to make this team
better. We're going to get this done. I feel it in my heart."
Last year's Magic team finished 21-61. But Orlando was able to
select center Dwight Howard with the No. 1 pick in the 2004
draft and improved the team in the offseason by sending McGrady
to the Rockets for guard Steve Francis, guard Cuttino Mobley
and center Kelvin Cato.
When Scott was selected head coach of the Hornets in May, he
didn't expect having an easy time with the team's shift into
the Western Conference, but landing a possible eighth seed in
the playoffs was thought to be a reachable goal.
As it turned out, the Hornets started the season with eight
consecutive losses; all-star point guard Baron Davis went on
the injured list with a inflamed disc in his back and is
expected to miss another two weeks; all-star center Jamaal
Magloire fractured his ring finger and is expected to miss up
to three months.
On Monday, Scott received more dismal news: Second-year forward
David West is expected to miss between two to three weeks after
suffering a bone bruise in his right knee during Saturday's
92-69 loss to the Detroit Pistons at New Orleans Arena.
Besides injuries, some of the Hornets' veteran starters have
looked too old to keep up with many of the younger and athletic
players in the Western Conference. In addition, some of the
Hornets' younger players still have not learned all of their
responsibilities in the offense.
On Saturday, the Hornets gave up 54.4 percent shooting by the
Pistons. In last Wednesday's 94-81 loss at Sacramento, the
Hornets were outscored 19-0 at the start of the second quarter.
"This offense is set up to get back doors, get layups and open
shots," guard David Wesley said after Saturday's loss. "Right
now, (Byron Scott's) offense is giving us great looks, but we
just haven't done well."
Despite the setbacks, Scott remains as spirited as he was on
the first day of camp. He explains offensive responsibilities
repeatedly at practice. He stops play when a mistake occurs.
His assistants constantly instruct on the court.
The Hornets appear to give maximum effort in games, but they
haven't been able to avoid repeated stretches of poor shooting,
turnovers and defensive breakdowns.
"I think if it wasn't for Coach Scott, our morale and enthusiasm
wouldn't be where it is right now," said P.J. Brown, the starting
center until Magloire returns.
"He's still pushing us and still believing that we can improve.
He tells all the time that no matter what our record is, we will
give ourselves a better chance of winning if we keep showing
resolve."
But Scott still doesn't take losing well, not after taking the
New Jersey Nets to two consecutive NBA Finals and winning three
championships when he played for the Los Angeles Lakers in the
1980s.
It's not the first time, however, that he has experienced a
disappointing season as a coach. During his first season in New
Jersey in 2000-01, the Nets finished 26-56 during a season in
which his team was ravaged by injury problems. But the following
season Scott guided the Nets to a franchise-record 52 wins and a
berth into the NBA Finals against the Lakers.
"I used to tell him all the time to keep smiling and stay
positive," said Hornets vice president of basketball operations
Willis Reed, who held a similar front-office position with the
New Jersey Nets when Scott coached the team. "It changed around,
even more than we thought could happen.
"Here in New Orleans, I think it's been a very tough start for
him because of the injuries. But we're going to live through it
and get better. I think he's going to handle things well like he
did New Jersey."
Scott said he has stayed positive by thinking about his experiences
in New Jersey.
"To have success, you have to go through some trials and
tribulations," Scott said. "Dealing with that experience before,
and now dealing with it here, makes it a little easier. All the
injuries we had up there is similar to ones we're having right
now. That year in New Jersey, we had four or five players from
the CBA on the team because of injuries.
"We're just going to keep on preaching and teaching as far as
what we have to do offensively and defensively. I still feel
we're getting better, and the one thing I love about these guys
is that they compete hard every night and nobody on this team
has quit."
. . . . . . .
John Reid can be reached at jreid@timespicayune.com or (504) 826-3405.
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